Gallery: It's Time for a Shulk Super Smash Bros. Blowout

Courtesy of Nintendo's desire for secrecy — we suspect — and its willingness to make a big splash, the close of this week was full of drama. Now that the dust has settled a little we should do full justice to the news of Shulk's reveal for Super Smash Bros., one that had been leaked yet, nevertheless, it was pleasing to see the announcement pinned down.

To focus on Shulk in Smash Bros., below you can see a gorgeous concept image from Monolith Soft, Masahiro Sakurai's Miiverse posts — also revealing a new stage from Xenoblade Chronicles — and then a range of official screens. You'll also notice Shulk has a shorts and no top outfit, so it seems we'll have skimpy attire for both male and female characters; should we be annoyed that these characters are being needlessly sexualised? That's a debate we've tackled recently with Samus.

In any case, gorge yourself on some Shulk goodness below and let us know whether he'll be one of your go-to characters in the game.

Monolith Soft Concept Art

Miiverse "Pic of the Day" Posts

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Shulk's sword, the Monado, slashes enemies with a beam when activated, so it can strike from long range. What really makes this weapon unique is that when the Monado Arts are activated, it can change Shulk's features and abilities! Emerge victorious in battle by changing your abilities strategically!!

Official Screenshots

Random Skimpy Outfit

Official Reveal Video

Welsh ex-pat Tom is responsible for the day-to-day running of the site. He's the guy to thank for the generally brilliant nature of the content which massages your eyeballs on a daily basis. Also has an unhealthy obsession with all things Bowser.

@IxCAt the end of the first Metroid game, it's revealed Samus is a woman with a shot of her without her suit, wearing that swimsuit type thing. Additionally, in other Metroid games, when she dies her armor explodes, showing that she wears this outfit underneath.

What does he mean that Shulk is not a normally a character who would appear in Smash Bros? I thought his inclusion his pretty normal since he was a popular Nintendo character. Or is it because Shulk is a one game wonder and probably won't appear in Xenoblade Chronicles X?

@Lasermaster123 It's already confirmed that Xenoblade Chronicles X takes place in a different universe. If you played through the first game you'd know its impossible for both games to exist in the same universe.

Well I just started Xenoblade Chronicles but from what little spoilers I know, I do know that it is kind of impossible for the two games to be in the same universe. I was just asking what he meant by that dialogue. Because Shulk will not appear in any other game besides this crossover and the NEW 3DS port (which is basically the same game).

@MussakkuLaden I always thought he had a good shout of being added since he had unique combat opportunities, came from a fresh IP that was hugely acclaimed and is getting a heavily anticipated sequel. He was actually my no.1 hopeful in addition to Lucina.

I've tried to expose myself to all the leak stuff as little as possible but he had the biggest chance of being included out of the newcomers I heard about.

Also is it just me or will those Monado Arts make him the the most technical and adaptable character in the series.

@thesilverbrick
To be honest, many of my friends and I thought that a element changing mechanic would belong to Isaac in a similar way that Shulk got this stat changing mechanic. Well Isaac still has tons of options to explore,

I wonder if that is the reason behind why Sakurai said that. Well we can only speculate regarding that.

Curious if they put the other outfits as alt skins for Shulk, and what the internet backlash will because obviously they are creating a "Even the Guys Want Him" Trope within Smash Bros. Total sexplotation!!

If looking at partially nude pictures of cartoony video game characters is something you do for 'fun' you might need to get out more often anyway. Take that however you'd like. I just think it all gets blown out of porportion and alot of times, favors particular parties arguments over others. Everyone just wants to be offended at something.

I know little to nothing about Shulk, but he seems like an interesting Smash Bros. character at least.It appears people are largely okay with Shulk in shorts like Samus in shorts. A playable male video game character can be wearing shorts only and few complain, but when a playable female video game character is in shorts, the internet including Miiverse goes wild. If you oppose video game characters showing too much skin, please be consistent. Otherwise, you’re just being hypocritical.

Why are people scared of characters being sexualized even though samus's costume is close to 30 years old and shulks costume is how I played a certain part of the game to see if my characters were stronger. Why is bloody gore more accepted than sex here and everywhere?

I remember that article from several months ago where Shulk's voice actor was interviewed. I remember NL asking him if he was doing voice work for Shulk in SSB. He said that he didn't know if he would be called in for that. Well, I guess he does now.

Okay, can I chime in on this whole "skimpy outift/sexualization/Zero suit thing"?

1) Shulk is wearing long trunks and no shirt...like men wear in the summer especially at the beach or swimming pool or basketball court, so what's the big deal?

If you find something bothersome or "gay" about a young man with no shirt, then perhaps the issue lies within you?

2) People need to relax. These are video game characters, and this kind of mild, harmless "sexualization" has been going on since comic books existed. Samus' Zero suit is pretty much a stock female superhero costume.

Have no trouble with his swimsuit outfit. Was a bit surprised when playing Xenoblade and I first got Swimming Oil as a chest armor Used it for a bit since it had better defense than the leather shirt he previously had. Was a fun thing, and glad it's here too.

@Austroid They're representing their IP. What's wrong with that? I mean, I do think there is probably one too many Fire Emblem reps, but other than that, look at the roster of characters and tell me that the zany fighters are dwindling. They sure as hell aren't.

@DiscoGentleman I don't know, its probably the revealing of these particular reps all in a row that bugs me. Too many anime-faced archetypes for my tastes. The supposed leak of the roster just looks off with all those characters in between the more "Nintendo-y" ones, imho.

@luke88 No, but you can't hold someone responsible for the wrongdoings of their fathers. If you look throughout history, every group of people has been mistreated at some point in time in some way, shape or form.

Ya, women have been the victims, but so have every other gender/race/ethnicity/nationality/religious group conceivable. A lot of times the over-sensitive knee jerk reactions based on "past prejudices and/or discriminations" does more harm than good. Those anti-discriminatory reactions, justified by "past mistreatment" often swings the pendulum too far in the other direction, and what you end up with is a double standard.

Furthermore, unsubstantiated accusations only serve to dilute the social issue, and harden people's hearts against the real problem, like the Boy Who Cried Wolf. We grow so accustomed to the offended crying foul over trivial matters that we begin closing our ears. Political correctness has become a disease, eroding the very social justice that it claims to preserve.

@Beau_Skunk:They probably won't stop. For some reason, people have a problem seeing an attractive character in an attractive outfit. I think it's ridiculous too that Nintendolife targeted Samus, but will not do the same for Shulk. They need to smash and delete their copies of Super Metroid if they have an issue with Samus in revealing outfits. That's an outfit that's actually skimpy.

@DiscoGentleman@Action51 I was just about to comment on that, too. It's pretty sad that that would stop someone from using the character(not sure how the heck that conclusion was even made; what does that even look like really?). I mean, it's a game where you fight other characters. What, was his moveset changed to include groping other male characters or something I missed? o,o

Are they using different translations for some of the symbols? Cause I don't remember a Jump or Smash skill. Also, Shield seems like it should have been renamed as Armour. Well these are mostly minor grievances.

relax everyone. Shulk's MALE designer worked really hard to finish programming this alt costume into the game in time for the deadline. said no one. because a hairless 17 year old boy in tiny shorts and clogs needs no explanation. yet, a female warrior in her mid twenties can't wear athletic gear without having to justify the programmer's sex. that is the real issue. or not. just a thought. still hate the crocs. still a day 1 purchase. go nintendo.

@Whopper744 You said everyone likes to get offended at something. It seems to me like you people who don't mind the "skimpy" outfits are getting offended at those who do. Relax and let them say their opinions!

Also, just using common sense: it seems a little weird to me that Sakurai would make some of the characters wear bathing suits even though they aren't even swimming; and people then defend them for just wearing "swimsuits." Guys, if you have to get so desperate that you're defending them for just having swimming outfits on, there probably is a problem with your defense

@Portista I think that stupid points of debate will only foster stupid arguments from both sides. Why is Shulk in a bathing suit even a point of debate? What I find disturbing is that the topic of sex pops up as soon as people see skin, be it female or male. Jeez, would you guys die of hysteria if you ever went to the beach?

@3Daniel I think a big problem with the Samus situation is when people think Metroid they turn to the disaster that was Other M rather than the good games. As that had big issues regarding the treatment of Samus, some people would think this is a similar situation.

@Grumblevolcano Those people should stay away from the series. It's pretty sad too that bigger fans of the series have had that same way of thinking. Other M has been no where near as offensive as they are.

@Grumblevolcano I liked Other M. The plot had bigger issues than the submissive role Samus played IMO(the deleter, Sector Zero, the Commander's son being a missed opportunity). I loved the use of 2d and 3d roaming but it needed an analogue input. The dodge and combat mechanics were fun. The music was awesome, most of the boss battles were cool (the final boss was a total let down as I beat her in under 3 seconds by aiming at the center of the screen during the cutscene). The first person perspective was poorly implemented. I just think it's sad that we live in a day and age where Smash Bros has devolved into the type of trash that would showcase Video Game's epic heroes wearing crocs.

@Action51 The faux over-reaction to Shulk in a swimsuit is, at least for me, criticism of the over-reaction to Samus Aran in a Sports outfit. Classic Disney Princesses have more sexploitation than Samus Aran in a Sporting bra and shorts.

Samus Aran isn't helpless, judged solely by her looks or just there to be rescued. She is there to kick butt and chew bubblegum, and she is all out of bubblegum. To be honest, Metroid: The Other M is more offensive because it forced her to be an over-sexualized caricature of the strong, independent character she was created to be.

I love how he seems to be playable in just shorts. Male characters almost never have this option, I think it's a good idea. I mean: if Samus is playable in almost no clothes, it's only fair to have a handsome guy that can do the same thing.

@Ernest_The_Crab iirc he was like a mechanic or something like that and went out to forage for parts from old mechon when he was done tinkering in the lab. I think Dunban did tell him to get out more.

The Monado arts featured in Smash Bros are: 翔（Jump）、疾（Speed）、盾（Shield）、斬（Buster）、撃（Smash）Speed was in Xenoblade, but I don't recall Smash being in it. And the character for Shield is, indeed, the correct one. Armour is different.

@DiscoGentlemanSorry I meant the effect. Shield did something entirely different in xenoblade. The smash bros effect seems closer to what Armour did in xenoblade. If launch resistance was one of his abilities in smash it would be closer to Shield's original effect.